He could be fit again by the end of August though, and has set his sights firmly on maintaining Chelsea’s dominance of the English top flight and regaining the Player of the Year crown he was awarded two seasons ago.

He said: “Hopefully, next year it is the same — we win the league and then I win Player of the Year.”

Batshauyi

West Ham, Scotland's Rangers, French side Monaco and Sevilla of Spain are all keen to snap up the 23-year-old, who spent last season on the fringes for the Blues before scoring in three of his final four games — including the late winner at West Brom that confirmed them as champions.

Lukaku

Chelsea, meanwhile, are trying to agree a fee with Everton for their star frontman Romelu Lukaku .

The Toffees’ 25-goal leading scorer wants a return to Stamford Bridge, where he spent three seasons from 2011 albeit mostly out on loan. However, Everton require a world-record £100million for him.

Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez says that he is leaving his future in the hands of his agent amid speculation he is set to leave Arsenal.

Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City have all shown interest in the Chilean, who is currently on international duty ahead of the Confederations Cup.

Arsenal have offered Sanchez a new deal worth around £300,000-a-week, but the former Barcelona man has made no suggestions he will sign.

In fact, Sanchez has suggested he will leave it up to his agent to decide the best course of action.

“I’m looking at what my agent is doing,” he told Cooperativa. “For now, I’m focused on the [Confederations] Cup in Russia and trying to do well."

Costa

It was last year when the Chelsea players first realised the sands at Stamford Bridge had shifted.

Antonio Conte’s side had been outclassed in their 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, prompting a visit from owner Roman Abramovich to the Blues’ Cobham HQ.

During his time there, talking to Conte in the training ground canteen, a number of players tried approaching the Russian billionaire - only to be given short shrift.

The statement from Abramovich was clear - the days of a hotline to the owner, either in front of or behind the manager’s back, were over.

The likes of John Terry, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard may have been indulged in previous years to the cost of the man in the hotseat, but that culture had changed.

So when Diego Costa made his desperate appeal for Abramovich to overrule Conte’s brutal text message, telling the striker that his services are no longer required, the silence was deafening.

“It’s a shame.” said Costa, whose goals have been pivotal in helping the club to two titles in the last three seasons.

“I’ve already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide,” he said. “But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not want me there.”

The likes of Andre Villas Boas, Luiz Felipe Scolari and even Jose Mourinho were all undermined by the players at the Bridge, their importance outweighing that of the manager.

Begovic

Bournemouth have made their first major signing of the summer after agreeing a £10million deal to sign Asmir Begovic from Chelsea.

Begovic enjoyed a memorable season with the west London club having won the Premier League title, but failed to establish a regular place in the side as Thibaut Courtois has established himself as first-choice keeper at Stamford Bridge.

Bournemouth were hoping to clinch his signature and the Bosnia and Herzegovina keeper was thrilled to put pen to paper on a long-term deal. He will join up with the south coast club on July 1.

Begovic enjoyed a brief loan spell with Bournemouth back in 2007 where he made eight appearances and is relishing the chance to work under Eddie Howe next season.

John Terry

John Terry admits it is "too difficult" to think about playing for another club as he ponders whether to retire or carrying on playing.

The Chelsea skipper bid an emotional farewell to Stamford Bridge last week and made his final outing with the Premier League champions as an unused substitute in Saturday's FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal.

He will now leave the club after spending 22 years there with Bournemouth leading the race for his signature, should he decide to play on next season.

The thought of leaving is not a prospect Terry is relishing, however, as the 36-year-old centre-back paid another heartfelt message to Chelsea on Sunday at the club's end of season awards in Battersea.

"I'm finding it hard to even consider playing for another club at the moment, but that's the desire of why I'm leaving so we'll see what happens, and see what the future brings," he said.

"Chelsea's my life and it has been for 22 years and it'll never go away.

"The fans mean everything to me, the memories will live with me forever. Thank you for always being there for me. I couldn't be here without you and I thank you from my heart.

"I hope to be back here in the future. The club have made it clear that the door is always open. I'm going to go away for a week and decide my future, whether that's playing or finishing."

Conte contract

The title-winning Italian - set to step up his English lessons this summer - is planning a short break after today’s FA Cup Final against Arsenal.

He will return for talks which the club hope will end with him signing a £9.6million-a-year contract, taking him to 2021. The new terms will make Conte, who has two years left on his current deal, the highest-paid manager in the Chelsea’s history.

Inter Milan’s Chinese investors had made a string of massive offers to tempt the former Juventus boss back to Serie A.

But the newly-crowned Premier League Champions are poised to back Conte in this transfer market this summer with a massive transfer kitty.

Conte is also looking for a property so that his wife Elisabetta and daughter Vittoria are able to join him in London.

He said yesterday: “We have to finish this season, but we’ve started to work for the next season. I think that [the club and I] have the same point of view.

“For sure, we’ll try to improve our squad for next season because we have to face an important competition in the Champions League. But I think the club and me, we have the same point of view on this.

“I know very well that, in modern football, it is very difficult to stay a long time at the same club."

Willian

Manchester United will have to switch their attentions elsewhere after Chelsea midfielder Willian confirmed he wants to stay with the Premier League champions this summer.

Willian has been strongly linked with a reunion with Jose Mourinho who was in charge of the Blues when the Brazil international first arrived at Stamford Bridge back in 2013.

The 28-year-old has become a fans favourite in west London, but struggled to command a regular first-team place under Antonio Conte last season and only started 15 Premier League games.

Despite his lack of action, Willian insists he is happy to stay at Chelsea and hopes to force his way back into the first-team on a regular basis next season.

Morata

Alvaro Morata has decided to leave Real Madrid this summer but reports in Italy suggest he will surprisingly snub Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United to join AC Milan.

The Spain striker has grown frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities due to Zinedine Zidane's preference for Karim Benzema to lead the line.

After being encouraged by the player's desire to return to Serie A, after a successful spell with Juventus, the Rossoneri will bid €60m (£51.9m) in order to convince the La Liga champions to sell.

Newcastle United want Chelsea target

Rafa Benitez will make a bid to land Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan.

The Belgian striker has made only one league start this season for the new champions following a £33million move from French giants Marseille last summer, but has netted four in his last three appearances — including the winner at West Brom that confirmed them as title winners.

Benitez wants to use the loan market to bolster his newly-promoted Newcastle squad, and offer former employers Chelsea the chance to give an expensive asset more Premier League experience.

Striker leaves

The 28-year-old, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at the Serie A champions, has signed a contract that will keep him at Juve until June 2020.

Juventus will pay 20million euros (£17m) for Cuadrado, who has already made 83 appearances for his new club.

The Colombia international, having also enjoyed a temporary stay at Fiorentina in 2014, initially joined Juventus in August 2015 and then returned this term.

No £75m move for Costa

Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian have distanced themselves from a £75million move for Diego Costa, saying there has been no contact with the Chelsea hitman since the turn of the year.

The big-spending CSL side have stated that they will be looking at a “rational transfer plan” this summer in a bid to become more sustainable.

The Chinese club recently announced that they had reached a ‘verbal agreement’ for their No.1 transfer target, with owner Shu Yuhui saying “buying a world-class centre forward is a no-brainer."

Chelsea striker Costa, who scored 20 goals for the champions in the Premier League this season, has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, having refused to commit to the club.

Rodriguez

James Rodriguez is desperate to get a move to the Premier League after Real Madrid gave him the green light to move.

Colombian superstar James is being punted around to clubs on the back of a remarkable marketing deal to try to secure a big-money transfer.

It is believed super agent Jorge Mendes is looking for an English club with the agreement that if he signs it will be part funded by the player's personal kit sponsors Adidas, who will pay 20 per cent of his wages through their own marketing, image rights and shirt sales.

However, James is available and Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are likely to be sounded out with him keen to move to London.

James joined Real Madrid in 2014 for £63m but has had mixed fortunes which explains his exit this summer.

Virgil van Dijk

Chelsea need to boost their squad to handle the rigours of the Champions League means even more fierce competition for top players.

And one of Liverpool's top targets is prime Antonio Conte's sights.

The Italian wants to improve all areas of his Premier League winning side and Southampton's Virgil van Dijk is his prime target - one of the very same centre halves Jurgen Klopp likes the look of.

The Independent claim "there is a growing belief that the 25-year-old Dutch international favours a move to Stamford Bridge" over other potential suitors, including the Reds and Manchester City. He has also been linked to Arsenal.

Conte pursuit

Inter Milan are refusing to admit defeat in their pursuit of Antonio Conte with the son of the Chinese owner claiming: “Anything is possible”.

The Serie A giants sacked coach Stefano Pioli last week but their run of nightmare results continued with a fourth consecutive defeat on Sunday.

Conte is the club's No 1 target to rebuild the 2010 Champions League winners with an unlimited transfer budget.

Walter Sabbatini has been appointed as sporting director with the task of luring the former Juventus head coach back to Italy.

The Chelsea boss has pledged his future to the Premier League winners and plans talks with the Stamford Bridge club to discuss next year's campaign. Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino and Luciano Spalletti of Roma are back-up options.

But Inter director Steven Zhang Jr, son of Suning owner Zhang Jindong, told Sportmediaset : “Conte? Everything is possible – a coach is important for team, like the right players. You need to have patience and trust in the club.

"I know that the fans love the club with all their hearts. Football in Europe is like a religion, people are crazy. Certainly, we are trying to do our best and we will do it step by step."

Kyle Walker

The new champions' boss Antonio Conte is a big fan and is ready to hijack Manchester City ’s strong interest in the Tottenham and England defender.

Walker would be able to double his £70,000-a-week wages at either club, who are both looking to strengthen in the right-back position.

Converted winger Victor Moses has been hugely impressive there for the London Blues this season, but Conte wants to increase his quality options ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League in September.

Neither City — who are about to say farewell to club stalwart Pablo Zabaleta after nine years — nor Chelsea have yet made any approach to Tottenham, but both are aware the will only entertain offers for Walker in excess of £40m.

Walker is scheduled to fly out with the rest of Spurs' squad on Monday for a post-season friendly in Hong Kong.

The Premier League runners-up are under no pressure to sell, as the Yorkshireman has four seasons remaining on a contract he signed in September.

But Walker is known to have fallen out with manager Mauricio Pochettino over a number of issues, which came to a head last month when Kieran Trippier was selected instead of him for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Man City’s hopes of signing Danny Rose appear to be over, with Spurs' England left-back set to miss the start of next season.

The former Spurs forward flourished during his first three seasons at the Bernabeu, however it appears Los Blancos have run out of patience, especially with potential summer blockbuster bids for Chelsea's Eden Hazard or Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe.It is widely thought that Bale does not want to leave the Galactico-laden side, but should the club’s hierarchy force through a move and accept an offer, then the Welshman has little option to accept a transfer.

According to diariogol.com , journalist Pip Estrada reports: "The agent of the player has started to negotiate in England after being annoyed with the reactions to his injury.”

Diariogol reveal that Bale would opt to move to Old Trafford and reignite Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United , rather than return to White Hart Lane, or to fight for a starting spot at champions Chelsea.

Atsu to Toon

The 25-year-old winger - who will sign a four-year contract - impressed on loan to help to help the Magpies to promotion, chipping in with five goals and three assists.

Atsu hit two important strikes in the club's final three matches against Preston and Cardiff to help them over the line.

Newcastle had first option on the speedy Ghana international but, under the terms of his loan agreement, had to take up his option by last weekend.

Diego Costa hits the cheeseboard

Diego Costa is not your average Premier League footballer - and not just because he is one of the finest strikers in the division.

The Chelsea striker often behaves a little… 'differently' to his peers and colleagues. Whether he's treating a football match like trench warfare, taking great pride in being abused by opposition supporters or messing about with his team mates in a delightfully over-excited fashion, the Spanish centre-forward doesn't play by the rules.

Hence, while most players would spend half-time back in the dressing room, Costa does not.

Former England captain Terry, 36, has been offered a two year contract worth around £130,000-a-week with a big signing-on fee.

Defoe, 34, has also been offered a two year deal in excess of £100,000-a-week and it is understood there is an option to extend it.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is very confident of completing both deals with the players both arriving on free transfers which has helped fund the big money wages which is a game changer for the South Coast club.

Terry is leaving Chelsea to look for more regular football having become a periphery figure in this season’s title success but will be remembered as a club legend after a glorious career at Stamford Bridge.

Conte deal

Boss Conte needs victory at West Brom on Friday night to secure the Premier League crown and with an FA Cup final against Arsenal to come in a fortnight's time is on course for the Double in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

But the Italian, who has two years left on his £5million-a-year deal, is on the lowest salary among the top six's managers — with Pep Guardiola making THREE times as much as him for running a Manchester City side not yet assured of Champions League qualification.

Inter Milan, who are planning a big rebuild under new Chinese ownership and this week fired coach Stefano Pioli, have made Conte their top managerial target this summer and are ready to double his salary to £10m-a-year if he'll quit return to his homeland.

The ex-Italy boss has refused to categorically rule out a return to Serie A, which he won three seasons in a row as Juventus coach before taking the national-team job in 2014.

Conte said: "If, in the future, we decide to extend the contract, we'll decide this. It's not important, this. I repeat.

"The money is important only at this level to give the real value of a player or the coach.

"If you show you deserve it, you have earned money. But for me the most important thing now is to win. Then the future is important...

"I have two more years of contract, and then it's important to win and write the history of this club with my players.

"It's normal to have a lot of speculation around my players and the coaches, different coaches, so it's important not to lose the concentration."

Chelsea are confident contract talks will be resolved quickly, and that he will stay.

Although the fact his family have not yet moved to London gives Inter encouragement, they are expected in the capital this summer and have looked at Italian schools for his nine-year-old daughter.

Huge bid

Conte is preparing for life without Diego Costa, who continues to be linked with a move to China and has made the 24-year-old striker his chief summer target, according to The Sun.

He believes that Morata's desperation to feature for Italy in next year's World Cup will mean the striker would be open to a move away from the Bernabeu where he has played second fiddle to Karim Benzema.

Blues technical director Michael Emenalo would like to re-sign Romelu Lukaku, but Conte feels Morata would fit into the team better than the Everton hitman.

Hammers interested

West Ham will have to buy Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi outright if they want him.

The Hammers are among a number of clubs interested in the £33million striker, who is on the way out of Stamford Bridge this summer after one disappointing season.

The next manager

Allegri took over from Conte at Juve in 2014 when he departed to become the Italian national team boss.

And both managers have gone from strength to strength since.

Following on from Conte's three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus, Allegri is about to win his third in a row since taking over, while also leading the Turin side to the Champions League final.

Conte, meanwhile, can wrap up the Premier League in his first season in charge at Chelsea.

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who is currently a free agent, believes that Allegri will remain at Juve for the long-term - but he'd be perfect to replace Conte when the time is right.

Speaking on BT Sport, host Gary Lineker said: “I’m sure he’d like to trump Conte and win the Champions League, that’s the one thing that’s evaded Juve for a long time now.”

John Terry

Stoke may try to hijack their weekend hosts Bournemouth's move for Chelsea legend John Terry .

The Potters ' manager Mark Hughes was a player at Stamford Bridge during Terry's early days with the club, and enquired about the 36-year-old — who will leave the Blues this summer after 19 seasons and is a target for Eddie Howe on the south coast — when the teams met earlier in the campaign.

“I know John very well but whether or not we'd be able to present anything to John that would make him think, I don't know," he said. "But we spoke briefly and had a word after the Chelsea game here this year about where his future lies.”

Stoke are trying to turn Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi's season-long loan into an £8million permanent deal, but his parent club are now dragging their heels.

“There's an area we can negotiate, but at the moment Porto have made a stand that they don't want to sell,” added Hughes.

Funds

Champions-elect Chelsea will offer Antonio Conte a stunning new deal and substantial transfer funds this summer . His list of transfer targets includes the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Virgil van Dijk.

Conte to go?

The Serie A club’s Chinese owners, Suning Holdings, are ready to offer the Chelsea boss massive transfer funds and a lucrative deal worth £10million-a-year to return to his homeland and steer the club back to the top of Italian football.

Conte will win the Premier League title with Chelsea in his first season if they triumph in their four remaining games, starting at home to Middlesbrough on Monday night.

Inter looked to have failed in their pursuit last month, with £6.5million-a-year Conte seemingly insistent at the time that the wanted to remain at Stamford Bridge “for years”. But Chelsea have yet to agree a new deal with him.

The 47-year-old refused to rule out a summer exit for Diego Costa at his Friday press conference, and sounded equally uncertain on his own future.

Asked about Inter’s pursuit, Conte, who won three successive Serie A title as Juventus boss before leaving in 2014 for the national-team job, said: “It’s the same. It’s the same speech for my players. The same for me."

“We must stay with great concentration until the end. I repeat: there is this great target, close, and for this reason I think we must think in the present. In the present.

“At this part of the season there are a lot of speculations about my players, also about me, but it’s not important. Not important, this.

"The most important thing now is to try and reach our target.”

Stockdale linked

The Bosnian was keen to leave Stamford Bridge in search of game time during the January transfer window, but Antonio Conte was unable to sanction the move because he was unable to land the former Fulham shotstopper.

Now the Daily Star reports that Chelsea can sign the 31-year-old without opening the chequebook because his contract runs out with the Seagulls this summer.

If Stockdale deputises for Thibaut Courtois next season, that will pave the way for Begovic to join Bournemouth.

Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has agreed a stunning £75million move to China . The 28-year-old will take home £650,000 a week after tax to become the best-paid player in the world. Costa met with agent Jorge Mendes and representatives of club Tianjian Quanjian last week, when it is believed they shook hands on a transfer in principle this summer.

Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand is set to join the long list of big names to have left Southampton .

At the time Mbappe was playing for amateur French side Bondy, where his dad Wilfried was a coach.

Real Madrid were also interested in bagging the talented winger as Mbappe sought a move to a top-tier club.

Mbappe's representatives attempted to push the Blues into a move by telling them Real also wanted to sign him but could not persuade the west London outfit to splash the cash.

Instead of joining a European giant, Mbappe settled for the famed Clairefontaine academy - which has seen the likes of Oliver Giroud, Blaise Matuidi, Nicolas Anelka and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry learn their trade.

Now, the 18-year-old has become one of the most sought after talents in the world - with Manchester United, Arsenal, Real all vying to sign him this summer.

Sanchez

Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas wants the Gunners to sell Alexis Sanchez to Chelsea after the club's “embarrassing” North London derby defeat.

The Chile striker is out of contract next year and has failed to agree a new deal.

And Nicholas told talkSPORT: “I was embarrassed to watch them against Tottenham . Arsenal were embarrassing. It was embarrassing even the team Arsene Wegner picked.

" Sanchez is not interested playing on the left side and Ozil just doesn't play in the big games for Arsenal.

"Sanchez has not been interested in the game for the last eight weeks. He is camouflaging it.

"I would sell him. Get him out. If he wants to go to Chelsea and Chelsea want to pay £60million, I would sell him to Chelsea."

"They should have said to Sanchez two months ago: 'Are you signing?' If he said 'No, I'm not going to sign', then he should be sold in the summer. They should isolate the players.

"They don't have values now and any soul. They have lost their credibility. The club is a mess. It is painful to watch.”

Midfield revamp

Manager Antonio Conte is looking to reshape his midfield ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League.

Bakayoko, 22, has been chased by Chelsea for some time. He has two years left on his contract and will not a new deal at Monaco . Bayern Munich, Juventus and both Manchester clubs have an interest in him. But the French midfielder is understood to have his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Defender deal

Chelsea are set to step up their bid to land Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly by offering rising star Kenneth Omeruo on loan as part of a deal.

Napoli want around £60million for the 25-year-old and Chelsea have yet to come anywhere near their asking price.